Morocco - Israel - Q&A from the press briefing (11 Dec. 2020)

Q: Do you have any comment on the re-establishment of relations between Morocco and Israel? This came about with the announcement that the U.S. was recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara. Do what extent does this recognition change the equation in the Western Sahara conflict and the U.S. role? What is France’s position? Has it changed?

Two questions: Might the announcement of the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel affect EU policy on the Western Sahara?
Was there any French intercession or intercession by French, French-Moroccan or French-Israeli elected officials that helped bring about this rapprochement?

A: France welcomes the announcement of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel, both of which are its key partners. In this regard, it applauds the Moroccan authorities’ affirmation of their support for the two-state solution, with both nations living side by side in peace and security, and of the importance of negotiations between the parties to reach a lasting peace. Together with its partners, France is determined to contribute to the resumption of dialogue on the basis of international law and agreed upon parameters.

The conflict in the Western Sahara has gone on for far too long and may devolve into a permanent state of tension, as we saw recently in Guerguerat. France is committed to seeking a political solution within the framework of international law. On this basis, it supports a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. It believes that the Moroccan autonomy plan offers a serious, credible basis for discussions.